Abstract
Objectives
A two–phase project is underway to identify salient social, technological, and global trends and anticipate their impact on interior design. A group of recognized visionaries from interior design education, practice, and industry was brought together to consider a menu of over 100 societal and global trends. Two objectives determined both the gathering of data and its analysis: (a) to identify trends deemed important by the participants, and (b) to amplify and clarify what these trends mean for the future of interior design.
Research Design
Phase I employed a focus group methodology to structure a carefully planned discussion. Sixteen Roundtable participants selected trends and discussed the expected impacts important to the interior design profession.
Analysis
Voting procedures within the focus group facilitated the selection of a few trends considered most important to the future of interior design. Audio tape recordings were made of all discussions and then transcribed for qualitative data analysis.
Key Findings
Future designers will need a broad–based liberal arts education complemented with specialized expertise to prepare them for new roles and responsibilities in an emerging global market. The importance of teamwork among divisions within the field and with other disciplines was highlighted. Calls were issued for strategic planning that will guide the field's response to new design problems to be solved, new knowledge to be acquired, research to be undertaken, and new design and business skills and methods to be developed.
Conclusions
Participants expressed optimism about opportunities for the profession and roles for future designers. A remarkable level of agreement evolved among educators, practitioners, and industry participants regarding ideals for the discipline.
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